Scripture Illustrations Everywhere I Look

One of the great joys and benefits of being the recipient of strong Bible teaching for 60 years is that examples of Scripture are EVERYWHERE. Whether I'm out in nature, interacting with friends, watching television, reading, cooking, cleaning, talking to Steve, or playing with grandchildren, a verse, phrase, or passage of Scripture is likely to pop into my mind, prompted, of course, by the Holy Spirit as a result of what is happening in my life at that moment. The key, to be sure, is being in the Word. Truths are not going to jump OFF the page unless I've been ON the page.


Between my upstairs study window and the river are trees of all shapes and sizes. They are especially noticeable now, in early November, as they turn vivid colors and shed their leaves. But, just a couple of months ago, they were vibrantly green, providing shelter for birds of an amazing variety. These aren't the kind that yield apples or pears, but they do drop lots of acorns and sweetgum balls. :) Today it is very windy, so leaves are coming off by the hundreds, and soon my view of the river will be virtually unobstructed with only the silhouettes of trunks and branches in sight.



The phrase that captured my thoughts today was from Psalm 1 verse 3. "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. . . "

Hmmmm. A tree planted by the rivers of water. Strong. Well-nourished. Fruitful. How is it that a MAN can be like that?? The preceding verses make it very clear. There are 3 things NOT to do and 1 very important thing to consistently do. 1) Don't walk in ways that godless people advise or suggest. 2) Don't stand along the paths where sinners stand. 3) Don't sit down (and spend time) with those who scorn (God). Instead, enjoy/delight in/love God's word and meditate on/study it every day. Simple. The result? Everything this man does will prosper and succeed. I like having a formula that works every time, don't you? Hallelujah! Praise God for the power, truth, and instruction in His Word.

Psalm 1

"Blessed (happy) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish."